Starting a new career at 26

background: Bsc. business administration degree, covered accounting and finance. M$ office certified, know excel very well. worked several jobs in college, started a business after and up to now involving consumer products. business skills involved sourcing, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service.

I've always had a strong personal interest in the stock market, and invested with pretty good returns. I would need to start from the beginning/entry level.

my question is; what should I look for specifically in my situation, and who if anyone would care that I have entrepreneurial experience. I'm a fast learner especially with computers; and can work long hours, high stress.

a headhunter I'm talking to thinks he might be able to get me an interview at a hedge fund; some friends in the business have told me to go with headhunters and just keep firing my resume out there.

what path would you take in my shoes?

7 Comments
 

If you're extroverted and willing to put up with disillusionment from constant rejection when you first build your book, wealth management may be a good avenue to explore-- especially if you have a natural interest in following markets and socioeconomics. Make no mistake though, it's absolutely a sales position and your first 3-5 years are spent gathering assets and begging people for money (in a classy way) as opposed to advising clients.

This means 14 hour days in the form of networking events, mixers, volunteering, public speaking...really anything that can get you in front of more people and allow you to show off your financial acumen.

 
Best Response

I have similar story as you; worked for a few years out of college, ran my own 'consulting' business back home (small town), then went to university in Toronto. At 26 realized I wanted to be a trader. Spent two years networking, just recently got an offer to join a sales and trading program.

Best advice is give people a reason to want to meet you to network, be ready to spend all your time networking to get in industry, and take advantage of any established networks or connections. Check school alumni, use career services from your college. Be authentic. Be real with yourself that it's a lot of work. I went to a non-top tier business school, but busted my ass for two years and it paid off because I showed them I deserved to be a trader. Above all, which you already touched on, be ready for any opportunity. But ya, explore career paths by meeting people; even check out local CFA or other finance networking events. Show up and talk to people; show a genuine interest in them, don't go looking for a job. A job will follow when you build your relationships.

That's all I got.

 

Maxime minima eveniet odio est dicta facilis deserunt vero. Officia alias totam provident suscipit. Quam magni non voluptate omnis qui. Ex et non suscipit ut officia dolor deserunt. Deleniti vel ex sed architecto consectetur corrupti in quas.

Repellat rerum ut omnis. Ut alias hic qui sunt voluptatum voluptas quo. Maxime numquam officiis qui beatae. Blanditiis asperiores porro quos ducimus quaerat. Et consequuntur molestiae aperiam necessitatibus voluptas quis ut et. Possimus voluptatem qui vel laborum.

Necessitatibus est quo quia inventore neque enim iure. Corporis vel alias libero quas quisquam. Quidem deleniti dolores molestiae eum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”